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Aug. 19, 1930.- l c. K. LIGHT 1,773,400

PROCESS OF MAKING MATCHES Filed Jan. 10, 1950 COMPOSITION HEFlTER-f 4HERD CUTTER Patented Aug. 19, 1930 umreo s if. S

PATENT oFFicE CLARE K. LIGHT, OF OSWEGO, NEW YORK,ASSIGNOR TO THEDIAMOND MATCH COM- IPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFILLINOIS 1 p rnoonss or MAKING, ATcI-I s Application filed January 10,1930. Serial No. 413,822.

This invention relates to a process of making matches having splints ofpermeable combustible material; its object being to provide for theeconomical and efficient treatment of 5 the match splints with materialwhich is effective to limit the flame to a relatively small portion ofthe splint when a match is ignited, and also with material Which iseffective to prevent the glowing of the burnt or charred part of thesplint when the flame is extin- I guished.

The invention is especially designed for use in connection with a matchmaking machine wherein the splints are inserted endwise, row

by row, in an endless carrier and thereby rigidly held in spacedparallel relation and transported through the match making path,including wax (as paraffin) and match composition applying mechanisms.

In carrying out the invention in the preferred way the match splints,projecting from and supported in spaced parallel relation by thecarrier, are treated with a material which permits the burning of thesplints when they are ignited yet prevents their glowing when the flameis extinguished. This anti-glow material preferably consists of anammonium phosphate solution withwhich the splints'are impregnated, or ofpowdered ammonium phosphate with which the exposed surfaces of thesplints are dusted or coated. The free end portions of the impregnatedsplints or the coated splints are dipped to a suitable depth into moltenwax, as paraffin, and they arethen exposed to the atmosphere for a briefinterval of time to allow the wax to set. This done, the splints aresprayed with a solution of material, such as ammonium phosphate whichimpregnates and renders practically ,fire-proof'the portions of thesplints above the Waxed or paraffined portions, yet does not accumulateupon or impair the efficient burning quality of such paraflinedportions.

- The free extremities of the parafiined portions of the splints aretipped with any usual or approved ignitible composition or compositionsto form the match heads, whereupon the matches are conveyed through asuitable drying space, whence they are discharged 0 from the carrier andpacked.-

Inthe drawing; which is a diagram of parts of a'match. making machinedesigned tocarry out my hereinbefore described process, 1 designates aportion of an endless carrier in which match splints, 2, are endwiseinserted, row by row, and thereby rigidly held in spaced parallelrelation. The type of machine illustrated embodies a cutter head3 havinginstrumentalities whereby succeeding rowsof splints. are cut from ablockof wood and forcibly inserted in perforations in the carrier.

4 designates a. sprayer located adjacent the cutter headand adaptedtoyproj ect upon and longitudinally of the splints borne by the carriera fine spray or mistof material effectlve to prevent theglowing of thesplint material when a match has been ignited and the flameextinguished. This material is preferably a concentrated, solution ofphosphate ammonium, about 8.5 .Baum, which is quick- I ly absorbed bythe ,splintsfbut, if desired, the materla'l may comprise pulverizedphosphate of ammonium which in a dry stateadheres to and formsa lightdust or coating on the exposed surfaces ofthe splints.

'5designates arbath of molten paraflin, or the like, in which the lowerends of the depending splints,afterfthey leave the sprayer, are immersedto a depth corresponding with the desired inflammable larea-ofithesplints. If desired a suitable heater may be interposed betweenthesprayer and the paraffin bath, in orderto ensure the drying ofthe wetimpregnated splints before they are dipped in the bath.

6 designatesa second sprayer arranged adj acent the path ofthe splints,and sufficiently distant from the paraflin bath to allow the paraffin onthe splints to set or harden before thesplints reach thesecondispray'er. This second sprayer functions to project upon andlongitudinally of the'splints adjacent thereto a fine spray or mist of asolution effective to impregnate theexposed unparaffinedportion ofeachindividual splint'andrender it sufliciently fire-resistant to limit theflame to the parafiined portion of the splint when the matchis ignited.The impregnating material is preferably a concentrated solution ofphosphate ammonium, about 21.5 Baum, the velocity of which as it isprojected in a fine spray along the water repellant paratfined portionof the splint prevents its adherence to or accumulation on theparaflined surface. Consequently the efficient burning quality oftheparafiined portions of the splints is unimpaired.

7 designates a composition containing vat equipped with a transfer roll8 by means of which match head composition is applied to the lowerparafined ends of the depending splints after the splints leave thesecond sprayer.

I claim- 1. A process of making matches, comprising treating a splint ofpermeable combustible material with an anti-glowing material, treating apredetermined inflammable area of the splint with wax, projecting a finespray or mist of a solution of fire-resistant material upon andlengthwise of the waxed and un- Waxed portions of the splint in suchmanner that the solution passes to and impregnates the unwaxed portionof the splint Without its accumulatingon or impairing the burningquality of the waxed portion, and applying match head composition to thefree end of the waxed portion.

2. In a process of making matches whereof the splints have waxed andunwaxed portions, the step ofimpregnating the unWaxed portions of thesplints with fire-resistant ma 'terial, comprising projecting a finespray or mist of a solution of such material upon and lengthwise of thewaxed and unwaxed por-' tions of the individual splints in such mannerthat the solution passes to and impregnates the unwaxed portion of eachsplint without its accumulating on or impairing the burning quality ofthe waxed portion of the splint.

3. A process of making matches, comprising impregnating spaced apartrows of splints of combustible permeable material with a solution ofphosphate ammonium, about 3.5 Baum, treating a predetermined inflammablearea of each individual splint with wax, projecting a fine spray or mistof a solution of phosphate ammonium about 21.5 Baum, upon and lengthwiseof the waxed portion of the splint whereby such spray passes to andimpregnates the unwaxed portion ofthe splint without itsaccumulating onor impairing the burning quality of the Waxed portion, and applyingmatch head composition to the free end of the Waxed portion.

4. A processof treating rows of spaced apart match splints which areeach held at one end in andproject from a suitable carrier, comprisingtreating the exposed surfaces of the respective splints withananti-glowing material, treating the free end portions of the saidsplints with wax, projecting a fine spray or mist of a solution offire-resistant material upon and lengthwise of the waxed and unwaxedportions of the respective splints without its accumulating on orimpairing the burning quality of the waxed portions, and applying matchhead composition to the free ends of the said waxed portions.

Signed at Oswego, in the county of ()swego and State of New York, this7th day of January, A. D. 1930.

CLARE K. LIGHT.

